Munster's John Hodnett ruled out of Connacht URC derby

OUT: John Hodnett will miss Munster's match against Connacht.
Pic credit: Steve Haag Sports/Deon van der Merwe.

Back-rower John Hodnett has been ruled out of Munster’s URC clash with neighbours Connacht but the defending champions can welcome back front-rower John Ryan from suspension for Saturday’s Thomond Park derby showdown.

Hodnett missed the Round 15 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg on April 27 after the flanker sustained a leg injury picked up after the previous week’s win against the Bulls in Pretoria.

The back-to-back wins in South Africa have consolidated Munster’s place in the top four of the URC standings with three rounds to go, collecting 29 out of a possible 30 points from their last six league matches, and Graham Rowntree’s squad will go into this Round 16 encounter sitting in third, three places and ninth points ahead of the Westerners.

The return of tighthead prop Ryan following a three-game ban that caused him to miss the Champions Cup Round of 16 loss at Northampton in addition to the South African tour, is an undoubted boost after fellow veteran Stephen Archer started the last two games with Oli Jager back on the bench following knee surgery.

There is a concern at loosehead prop, however, with Josh Wycherley following return to play protocols. He had come off the bench to replace starter Jeremy Loughman on 52 minutes against the Lions at Ellis Park but was withdrawn after just 20 minutes and Munster said a decision on his availability will be made later in the week with Rowntree set to name his matchday squad on Friday at noon.

With ticket sales passing the 17,500 mark on Monday, Munster could also see returns to action for centre/wing Liam Coombes after a 15-month absence due to a shoulder injury, and academy back-rower Brian Gleeson, who sustained an ankle injury on Ireland Under-20 duty in February. Both Coombes and Gleeson have return to training ahead of Round 16.

Munster remain without the services of hooker Diarmuid Barron (foot), back-three player Patrick Campbell (shoulder), loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), lock Jean Kleyn (knee/eye), scrum-half Paddy Patterson (knee), and tighthead Roman Salanoa (knee).